My review of Sezai Saktanber's DIY SilverFi cables from Ankara/Turkey signaled the need for this award which is unapologetically concerned with extreme value. To be worthy of our cheapskate recognition, uncompromised build quality and excellent performance have to coincide. The imagery is self-explanatory - Padma Sambhava, Tibet's patron saint and great realizer, surrounded by coins of antiquity. Realsization takes standards educated by exposure to the best of audio and investigates how much money can be saved while maintaining the essence of ultra performance.

Forza Audio Works Noir:
starting at €159

Clones Audio AP1 & 55pm:
€1'448 for three-piece combo

Black Cat Cable Silverstar USB:
$150

SVS Ultra Tower:
$999/ea.

ASUS Xonar Essence One:
$599

Clones Audio 25i:
$529

Bakoon BPS-02:
€330

Nanotec Golden Strada #79 Special & SR:
¥847/1.100/pr/1m

Wyred4Sound mINT:$1.499

Focal Spirit One:€199

Rethm Trishna:$5.000/pr

CEntrance DACmini:$799

Schiit Lyr:$449

Usher S & SW-520:$499 for monitors, $799 for the plug 'n' play bass modules which may be added at a later time.